Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Something Evil this way Comes!

ATTENTION~~Because of the influx of emails asking me which recipe I used to make these cookies, I am posting a like to my sugar Cookie Recipe HERE!

Okay, back to the post:

5 MORE DAYS!

Tomorrow for school, I get my first crack at dress-up; the kindergarten kids who only come on Tuesdays and Thursdays are having their party. I guess I need to get a makeup-check before the big day!
The ghoulies are already stealing my cookies. No, that is not my hand all yuckie with dirt.

Actually, those digits belong to the time-honored traditional Halloween baking known as:

Witchy fingers!

I've always loved the way these simple cookies make Halloween tables look. Honestly, all lined up, or piled into a jar, they look absolutely creepy! That is why I was so excited to make them!

They are the simplest cookie too. Simply roll out some sugar-cookie dough into a thin line (and hes, mine are a little thick, make your cookies thin because they spread), apply an almond shard, score the knuckles, then bake as directed.

I like to brush mine with a little cocoa-powder after baking (with a paint brush) to make the hands look dirty and contrast-like.

Honestly, this is a no-fail treat (unless there are allergies involved). I've got a super awesome treat lined up for Halloween, and it's time to start the pre-baking. It will be awesome. I can't wait!
See you all in a few days!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

A lot of people have asked 'how did I do this.' The directions are true, and should be right, but if you have certain problems, look below. I will try to add answers as they are asked.

My cookies are flatter than yours: My answer to you is to be cautious of your butter to flour ratio. Oftentimes, doughs react differently at different humidities or temperatures. If you find your dough spreads a little too much, try adding a little flour to the mix before you put in the next batch. I always do a 'test batch' when baking cookies, so I know how they are going to spread.

How thin and long should I roll the dough: As for the thinness of the dough.. I rolled the dough to 3/4 of the width my own fingers, about a bit longer than a real finger. The cookies should spread but stay plump. The bottoms WILL be flat, but the edges are rounded.

Would cinnamon look good in the knuckles?: I would assume Cinnamon work, but a word of caution: Cinnamon is dry! It would be far easier to add more cinnamon to the cookie dough itself before baking than to brush enough cinnamon to make the shaded look. I would still recommend sticking to cocoa, but add more cinnamon in the dough. :)

I used Store-bought dough, and it didn't work. HELP!: I say add more flour. The dough is made to spread and thin... As attested by another baker, it works:
Michelle Junker adds: I used store bought cookie dough today, knowing I had to add flour, I
ended up adding 3/4-1 C. of flour and they turned out perfect. Made
them extra thin and then made boney knuckles. I also used whole almonds
that I cut in half. Very happy with the results! Thanks!

I have made these cookies before and they don't hold a candle to yours! AH-MAZING! Featuring this week, pinning, loving, etc! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout! Hope to see you back this week! - Trish

OMG!!! This is the CREEPIEST food I have ever seen. They look so authentic that even thinking of taking a bite is making me feel sick.What is your sugar cookie recipe? I would to love to bake these for the block party we have.

I used store bought cookie dough today, knowing I had to add flour, I ended up adding 3/4-1 C. of flour and they turned out perfect. MAde them extra thin and then made boney knuckles. I also used whole almonds that I cust in half. Very happy with the results! Thanks!

"I used store bought cookie dough today, knowing I had to add flour, I ended up adding 3/4-1 C. of flour and they turned out perfect."

I just wanted to say that I went by this measurement and my batch came out amazing. One roll of cookie dough and 3/4 cup of flour is the perfect ratio.

Also the difference between cinnamon and cocoa powder. I tried both.. the cinnamon just didn't dust on right, it was all grainy and blotchy compared to the cocoa powder which applied amazingly smooth, almost like an airbrush effect.

Hi!Thanks for this. I used it to great effect this Halloween (picture). I also added in slightly more than 3/4 of a cup of flour into store-bought dough, and it came out great.

One tip I wanted to share: Wait until the cookies have cooled quite a bit before you brush them with cocoa powder. If you do it too early, it kind of clumps instead.

Also, my "fingernails" came off pretty easily if you bumped the jar they were in. I ended up making a thick paste of some powdered sugar and water, and used a tiny drop to "glue" the fingernails back on for a few of them. Worked great.

Just made these myself using your sugar cookie recipe you give the link for at the top of the page. They turned out spectacular. I did have to cook them longer than the suggested time but otherwise one of the best ideas/recipes ever. Thank you VERY much!